Volume 76 of the Treatise on Military Efficiency

Midway through the day, a petition is made to observe the Cavalry original: qijun (騎軍). Mounted soldiers who, on this page, are described as following the same tactical evolutions as the infantry.. The cavalry follows the same methods as the infantry. Eight riders from each army are chosen to issue a challenge. After five formations are completed, the drums beat loudly as they advance. The horses circle and engage in mock combat until the end. Then, the troops are marched back in formation. The Palace Attendant original: shizhong (侍中). A high-ranking civil official who serves as an intermediary between the military command and the Emperor or higher administration during these ceremonies. reports that the ritual is finished, and they return.

Every year in the final month of winter original: jidong (季冬). The twelfth month of the lunar calendar, traditionally a time for military review after the harvest., the Assault-Repelling Commandant Assault-Repelling Commandant original: Zhechong Duwei (折衝都尉). A senior military rank responsible for the administration and training of local militia units. leads the soldiers and horses of the five regiments stationed at the headquarters. They are divided into two regiments, Left and Right, with the command positions separated by one hundred paces. Each regiment consists of ten infantry squads and ten cavalry squads. Initially, their streamers original: fan (幡). Long, narrow banners attached to lances or poles. are rolled up and their bladed flags are unfurled; they stand in a loose formation, waiting.

The horn blowers sound a single long blast on the Great Horn, and all regiments gather their men and horses into squads. At the second blast, they lower the flags and slightly unroll the streamers. At the third blast, the flags are raised high. The Left and Right regiments strike their drums, and the men of both units shout together and advance.

When the Right regiment strikes the gong Gong original: zheng (鉦). A bronze percussion instrument used to signal a halt or a withdrawal, serving as the functional opposite of the drum., their squads retreat slightly. The Left regiment then advances until they reach the position where the Right regiment had stood. Then the Left regiment strikes the gong and retreats slightly, while the Right regiment reaches...

Vocabulary from this section:

• Treatise on Military Efficiency original: Wubei Zhi
• Cavalry original: Qijun
• Marching back in formation original: Zhenlü
• Assault-Repelling Commandant original: Zhechong Duwei
• Gong original: Zheng
• Streamers original: Fan
• Waiting/Awaiting original: Si
• Shouting/Clamor original: Zao
• Lowering the flags original: Yanqi